Theory and epistemology

Question 1

What is Policy?

Answer 1

“is a set of interrelated decisions taken by a political actor or group of actors concerning the selection of goals and the means of achieving them within a specified situation where these decisions should, in principle, be within the power of these actors to achieve.”

Choice/decision

Means or an end

Is within the power of the actors to achieve

Question 2

Intent does not always equal

Answer 2

results

Question 3

Policy is everywhere
it does not need to written down
What else?

Answer 3

there can be decision

Question 4

Public Policy

Answer 4

Policy that is chosen and come up with by public authorities/public sphere

Can be all levels of government

Addresses multiple issues at the same time

Addresses a given problem or interrelated sets of problems (Is more efficient )

Question 5

Health policy is a subset of public policy

Answer 5

Includes what we define as health, health care, what is included/not included, whose health we are talking about/not

May not be explicit but still part of the policy process

Question 6

Why Study Policy?

Answer 6

Central instrument for organizing society and how resources are assigned in modern societies

Is often the key in advocacy work

Is not just why/how to act

Is also about the assignment of resources

Question 7

Policy can also be thought of as an “_____”, “________” and “_______”

Answer 7

Policy can also be thought of as an “intent”, “understanding” and “process”

Question 8

Understanding the evidence is important

Answer 8

Guides policy and the beliefs that guide what we do/don’t do

There are essential programs that work to change society